Did you know that 50% of children by the age of 5 will have one or more cavities? The older your child gets; those numbers go up. Tooth decay is a problem among children, in fact, many parents assume that cavities in baby teeth don’t matter because they’ll be lost anyway. But that’s not true. Cavities in baby teeth can negatively affect permanent teeth and lead to future dental problems. So here are some helpful tips to help you with your little ones’ dental hygiene.
Teaching Good Oral Hygiene Habits for Children
Teaching your child to brush their teeth the right way is a great start. We encourage to coach your child until they have a great daily route to brush their teeth twice a day. The nighttime ritual of getting children down to sleep is not always the most enjoyable …we’ve all been there too! However, continue to help your child brush their teeth and make it as fun as possible. You could even download a tooth brushing app to make it more enjoyable for the preschoolers.
Brushing Your Teeth Twice a Day
As soon as your child has a tooth you should start brushing. Teach them early to brush twice a day and make it enjoyable. Use fluoride toothpaste to help prevent cavities and be prepared to try different flavors as needed. Be sure not to have your child swallow too much toothpaste but teach them to learn to rinse and spit out the water.
Many people think the brushing motion is critical, it’s not necessarily. What’s important is cleaning each tooth thoroughly, top and bottom, inside and out. Teach your child that the front teeth aren’t the only ones to brush but it’s important to get the back ones too! It would be nice to not have to supervise your child but most children need help until they are between 6-8 years old.
Reduce Sugar
A child’s diet will play a key role in their oral health. The longer and more frequently your child’s teeth are exposed to sugar, the greater the risk of cavities. Sugar can do serious damage to your child’s teeth. Make sure to always brush your child’s teeth after sugary foods, such as, candy, soda, gum, etc.
Dental Checkups
During a child’s well visit, our dentist at Orchard Hills Dentistry, will check your child’s teeth and gums to ensure their oral health. As part of the checkup, we will make sure the teeth are developing normally and that there are no dental problems. The sooner we can catch cavities and other dental troubles, the more effectively and painlessly those issues can be treated.
Our friendly dentists and staff will make sure your child’s teeth are healthy and the experience is a great one for them. To schedule an appointment, contact us at 509.452.6761. Make sure to come early to let your little ones play in our farm themed playhouse.
